Connecting Kids to Meals this Summer

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Summer Food Service Program ensures that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Kids are more at risk for hunger when school is out, and this program provides a crucial link to nutrition normally obtained within schools. The Summer Meal Program allows families to save money on food, ensures children have access to healthy meals, and encourages participation in recreational and educational activities.

Serving children is at the heart of what we do at Hunger Task Force. As an organizer of SFSP, Hunger Task Force connects thousands of children 18 and under with meals across the metro region. Hunger Task Force has developed the “Milwaukee Model” – recognizing the many local partners committed to ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer months. As an organizing agency, we connect programs and partners to meal providers, funding opportunities, best practices, and remain the leader in anti-hunger advocacy work in Milwaukee.

Hunger Task Force is committed to creating and maintaining access to free and healthy meals during the summer months for all children throughout Milwaukee. Only 10% of children who receive a free meal during the school year receive a free summer meal. Awareness of this program poses to be the biggest barrier to the access. We are determined to find new ways to ensure families know this option is available – all summer long! our trusted local SFSP sponsors, such as Milwaukee Public Schools, Boys & Girls Club, and Milwaukee Center For Independence, use their knowledge and expertise of food distribution to serve children and families first hand at over 150 sites throughout the city.

Looking for meal sites outside of Milwaukee County?

Check out the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder.

Summer Meals Site Finder - Wisconsin

Interested in providing meals as a Summer Meal site?

Contact us at [email protected]!

[email protected]

Meal Distribution Options

Summer Meal sites are available in a variety of settings – chances are, there is at least one in your neighborhood! We actively analyze maps to identify gaps in service ensuring each neighborhood has an access point.

Here are a few of the different site options for your family to attend.

County and City Parks

School Sites

Apartment Complexes

Clubs

To ensure maximum reach with this program, we rely on strong partnerships within the community. The Milwaukee Summer Meals Collaborative involves many partners falling under two different categories – meet up, and eat up.

The “Meet Up” aspect captures the recreational & educational programs – partners in this are, for example, are Milwaukee Recreation, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, churches programs, and summer school or learning academies. These partners are educating and engaging with youth through programming first hand.
The “Eat Up” aspect involves the meal service. Partners in this area include Milwaukee Center For Independence who operate the mobile food truck, and school districts who prepare meals such as WAWM and MPS. These partners are preparing and serving meals first hand.

Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2024

FRAC’s latest report, Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2024, reveals a drop in the number of children receiving nutrition over the summer following the loss of pandemic-era waivers.

This report measures the reach of the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2023, nationally and in each state, compared to July 2022. It is based on a variety of metrics, including average weekday July lunch and breakfast participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs, and examines the impact of trends and policies on program participation.

Nearly 400,000 Summertime Meals Served to Local Kids in 2024

In 2024, Hunger Task Force helped serve nearly 400,000 meals to kids through the USDA’s Summer Meals Program. By expanding non-congregate takeaway options, the program reached children in need across Milwaukee and rural Wisconsin, ensuring no child went hungry during the summer.

Heidi Chada Is a Hunger Hero Working to Feed Low-Income Kids For 18 Summers and Counting

For 18 summers, Heidi Chada and Centers for Independence have partnered with Hunger Task Force to provide healthy, free meals to low-income children across Milwaukee through the Summer Food Service Program.

Centers For Independence’s New Commercial Kitchen Strengthens Summer Meals Program

Discover how the Centers for Independence’s renovated kitchen at Concordia 27 enhances Milwaukee’s Summer Meals Program. With increased capacity and state-of-the-art equipment, CFI is set to provide over 270,000 healthy meals to local children this summer, bridging the hunger gap and supporting job training programs.

Hunger Task Force Welcomes Three Summer Interns

The principal strength of Hunger Task Force is its compassionate and committed staff. As an anti-hunger organization, Hunger Task Force commits to hiring staff with an array of skills, talents and the cultural competence to best serve our diverse community. Hunger Task Force is excited to welcome three summer interns – Nina, Nadia and Ashlyn – as they assist Hunger Task Force in our mission to end hunger in Milwaukee.

Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee County Parks Innovative Partnership to Reduce Food Insecurity in Milwaukee

Guy Smith, executive director of the Milwaukee County Parks, and Matt King, associate director and incoming CEO of Hunger Task Force, discussed the nearly 20-year partnership between the organizations to tackle hunger and promote environmental health in the city.

Salvation Army: A Community Champion for Summer Meals in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, a community where many families are facing financial hardships, organizations like the Salvation Army serve as beacons of hope and service. A dedicated member of the Salvation Army team, Kummardar Brodie stands out as a shining example of unwavering commitment.

“Meal Mates” Pilot Program Provides Healthy Takeaway Options for Families in Need

Prepacked with a mix of MyPlate-friendly food, “Meal Mates” are a supplemental option that have been well received by both Summer Meal sites as well as organizations across the Hunger Task Force emergency food network. Made possible by a Kohls Hometown Partner grant, the Meal Mates pilot program helps to fill gaps where federal funding falls short and meal providers are benefitted by a healthy, on-the-go option.

Meet Up And Eat Up, Milwaukee! 2023 Summer Meals Program Provides Daily Meals to Kids, Teens and Families

Meet Up And Eat Up sites throughout Milwaukee provide structured, educational and recreational programs to ensure kids have nutritious meals and a place to learn and play. All locations with “Meet Up And Eat Up” signs are safe, supervised places for children to receive up to three meals per day!

203,752 Summertime Meals Served to Local Kids in 2022

Summertime is a peak season for childhood hunger as students go without meals they would normally receive at school. To combat summer hunger, the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to children aged 18 or younger during the summer months. Hunger Task Force administers the SFSP in such a large and inclusive way that it’s often dubbed the “Milwaukee Model.”

Meet Up and Eat Up Milwaukee! Summer Meals Program provides three daily meals to kids, teens and families

All summer long, kids and teens (18 and under) are invited to “Meet up And Eat Up” at more than 115 meal sites throughout Milwaukee County. With the support and collaboration of several community organizations, Hunger Task Force celebrated the kickoff of the Milwaukee Summer Meals Program at Southgate Playfield.